Consolidated Mercur Mines

Orpiment, calcite, Lorandite

Lorandite/ Orpiment/limestone/Calcite/

The Consolidated Mercur Mines are rather located in the Camp Floyd Mining District. which is about 55 miles due south of Salt Lake City, Utah, and adjoins the Ophir Mining District. It was also at one point in time when the area had rather been occupied by three distinct camps, which included Mercur, the most important of these discoveries, along with Sunshine, that was situated at about 4 miles south of Mercur, and West Dip. By the early 1900's, the area of vast rugged land was well transforming when the Salt Lake & Mercur Railway was establish to provide access into this area. The Railway was ideally providing services to the mines at Mercur along with other camps in proximity of this gold mine boom in Utah, United State, which was located not to far from Salt Lake City. Access along with the transportation of goods would only continue for a short amount of time before the railway branch line was dismantled in 1914, prior to the shut down of the Consolidated Mercur Gold-Mercury Mine. It was also considered to have connected with the Los Angela's and Salt Lake City railroad at Fairfield Junction, and had furnished transportation into this vast rugged district. It was also during the early years of silver discoveries that played an important roll towards the establishment of this district on April 16, 1870, and was later practically abandoned until the discovery of Gold ore, which had been successfully treated through cyanidation in 1891. This foremost district is rather considered to be largely irregular that forms a rectangle that's from 7 to 9 miles on a side, with the mines themselves included into an area of a square mile. Production that was achieved from this district in 1871 to 1881, was rather considered to have achieved an estimation of 46,000 oz. Ag. The ore that was then being work would additionally contain no lead, copper, or gold, and it was from 1892, that the gold production had amounted to nearly 19,000 oz. which was produce from no extensive milling operations like todays mines.

One of the very first discoveries that was taken up had been a placer mining operation which was discovered by L. Gowley in 1870. This was also followed by other similar prospects that were being opened up, but it was the production that made this not possible for future operations towards placer mining. Most of this was generally caused due to the lack of gold that was being panned from the creeks, and also due to the lack of water that was not existent in this general area. Some of the very first mining lode claims became recognized as the Sparrow, Hawk, Last Chance, and Marion Claims. These were the first claims to have discovered very rich silver ore that was made upon them, and were largely estimated to contain nearly $4,000 to $5,000 in silver per ton of material. Interest was shortly after gained towards these claims when an English Syndicate had acquired them shortly after. A Test mill was eventually made towards this production that would only prove to be costly in treating, in which the company only would receive $100,000 out of nearly $700,000 spent on this project before suspending mining operations. This had place the end to silver mining in the area and had been left completely abandoned for quite sometime before it was picked up for gold exploration and prospecting. At a later time period, which was made after the discovery of the Sparrow-Hawk, that rich strike was made on the Carrie Streels Mine. Reports on this pocket had largely stated that nearly $83,000 was taken out within a three month time period of working this claimed area. Most of this had taken place during the 1870's, and it was from 1872 to 1873, that the area was inhabited by the swarm of prospectors. By this time, a town site known as Lewiston was additionally made on the present site of where Mercur stands today, and had been a fully fletched mining camp at the time. However, the area, did not contain any stead productive mine sites, and a total of 1,500 people had resided at Lewiston by 1880, which would only slowly decrease in population. From all this excitement it became estimated that the Camp Floyd Mining District would only produce nearly $350,000, before the area was left abandoned. Labor, along with machinery, and supplies had become another expensive issue that required at least $60 of ore per day in order to make a profit from these silver mining projects.

Historically, the area would once again receive attention in 1879, when a German by the name of Arie Pinedo had located the Mercur Lode. The prospector at this time had believed that his discovery was a valuable one, when it was reported that a cinnabar vein became discovered that would contain mercury. In addition to his discover, Mr. Pinedo had additionally named his claim after the German word for Mercury known as Mercur. Additionally, it was reported that some cinnabar was found, but wasn't considered to have been in paying quantity, and Pinedo would only soon abandoned this project, and had left the country. This was followed by a massive rush of prospectors that would additionally drift in towards this area, and it was at about 1883, when the Gold Ledge was discovered. Some samples that were taken from this project had additionally shown that the yellow metal was present in paying quantities at the time, and after numerous attempts at panning and not finding any gold, these prospectors had given up.

Other work was shortly after followed when a prospector/developer by the name of Capt. Joseph Smith, had put up a mill on the Marion ground for the purpose of working the silver ore, and tailings dump in 1889. This at the time had only came with failure, and the idea was given up after spending between $9,000 and $10,000, with no results of profit. The area became later abandoned by this prospector, but he had over heard a story of cinnabar and gold being discovered earlier on the Mercur Claim in 1879. In addition to this, it would result in sampling the Mercur ore during the year of 1889, and had gotten good returns in gold. Prospecting at this time had largely vanished due to the major discoveries of cinnabar and silver in low quantities to produce a mining project deem economical, and it was in 1889, and 1890, when work was progressing on the Mercur Lode. Sampling was rather ongoing as a 5-ton lot of ore was taken out and had been brought across the canyon to the Marion Mill and treated with apparent success. With encouraging results it was in 1890, when Messrs. G. S. Peyton, and H. W. Brown had associated themselves with Capt. Smith on March, 1890, and would incorporate the Mercur Gold Mining and Milling Company. A lot of capital would additionally become spent after nearly twenty five thousand was taken upon this project in order to develop a milling facility that was directed by Mr. Smith. The milling facility was additionally built near a spring that is now known as Manning, which is about halfway between Mercur and Fairfield Station. Most of the cost in building this mill was taken through the strategic benefits of building an amalgamation mill, which was similar to the test mill that was built on the Marion ground. Another additional twenty-five thousand was spent towards building the main mine area, and the road way in order to provide access for haulage to the mill. Mr. Smith's idea in attempting to treat the ore within the new milling facility would only result in failure, and once again any hope of getting ore in paying quantity were blasted in the Camp Floyd Mining District. At this time, about 1,500 tonnes was put through the milling facility that had been carefully sampled, and would average $18 per ton. Assays that were taken on the tailing piles would also show an extraction at about 80%, but the clean up, instead of amounting to about $21,000, had proved less than $5,000. Cyanide of potassium had rather been used for the cleaning of the quick silver, and subsequent experiments that proved the gold had been dissolved, and carried off by the cyanide.

It was at about this time when the general invention of treating gold ore with cyanide successfully was now known, and a carload of ore was shipped to Denver for a practical test. This resulted in obtaining an extraction of about 80% that was obtained by this test, and in the summer of 1890, the mill at Manning was remodeled, and turned into a cyanide plant, by which ore was successfully treated. Capt. Smith at the time had additionally served his connection with the Mercur Mine, had additionally turned his attention to the development of what was known as the "Gold Ledge" in the Marion Group of Claims. In addition to this, he would also remodel and added to the amalgamation mill that was previously built, and by June, 1893, he had started up the second cyanide plant in Mercur. With successful treatment of gold ore, this would also result in a swarm of prospectors to the general area, which included Arthur Murphy and C. L. Preble. who located two claims on the old site of Lewiston, and had staked them. The staking was generally done in two lots, and had seen a new town rise known as Mercur. Mercur at this time had gradually also grown as it had the same population as Lewistown, and had resided with a total population of 1,500 residence. By 1897, Mercur had largely become a regularly organized municipality, which had its own water soon, and fire department. By 1900, the population had now reached 2,351 residence as the mine provide economical interest which paid fairly well, but had dwindled through the next decayed to 1,047 residence, and in 1913, was almost entirely abandoned due to the mine closure by the Consolidated Mercur Mines, Co. Mercur at this time became a major outset as the total production that was produced from the Camp Floyd District had amounted to 382,790.00 fine oz. of Au (Gold) that was produced from 1,929,993 short tons of ore from 1890 to 1900. Additional production of gold had resulted in processing 3,653,990 short tons of ore that recovered 538,052.87 oz. Au from 1900 to 1917. This largely had given a total gold bullion production of nearly 920,842.87 oz. Au from processing 5,583,983 short tons of ore. Many smaller mining operations had largely operated within this district that would include mining projects like the Mercur, Delamar, Geyser-Marion, Sacramento, Sunshine, Overland, Daisy, and La Cigale properties. All of these properties also had their very own milling facilities, and all except the La Cigale were successful in the extraction of fair values in gold from the ore produced.

It was in July, 1891, when nearly 17 tons were shipped to Denver for trail by the cyanide process, which were successful at extracting nearly 92% recovery from the Consolidated Mercur Mine. The idea of an Amalgamation mill and concentrator would additionally become discarded as the company would design its own cyanide plant that deem more effective on the ore. It was during the month of February, 1892, when the Cyanide Plant was officially completed, and started within a weeks time of completion. This at the time had became a new experimental run as experience was gained in the handling of the ore by the new cyanide process, and the milling facility would additionally become enlarged at Manning. It was during the time period of 1896, when the milling facility was treating nearly 225 tons of ore per day, or altogether 63,480 tonnes for the first year of production, averaging a value of about $12.00 per ton in gold, of which 80% was saved. The average cost of mining and milling at this time was exceeding $2.80 per ton, with the total amount paid in dividends up to January, 1, 1897, being $600,000. During 1897 to 1898, the Golden Gate Mill was built at Mercur, and in 1900, the Delmar Mercur Mining Co. and the Mercur Gold Mining & milling Company were amalgamated to form the Consolidated Mercur Mines, Co. All the ore that was taken from the Mercur and Delamar Mines was after treated in the Golden Gate Mill, while the Manning Mill was being used intermittently by the company and lessees for the re-treatment of tailings. The original capacity that was obtained from the Golden Gate Mill had been designed at 500 tons, but by 1900, it was shortly after increased to 1,000 tons of ore per day.

Mining at the time was largely being focus on the most oxidized part of the ore-body, which was now beyond the most extensive workings in the Floyd Mining Camp. Most of the structural data on these deposits was also considered to have been obtained with the aid of previous owners and superintends of the mine site. One of the main tunnels on the Mercur Ground is known as the Uncle Sam Tunnel which is commonly considered as the most southerly workings on the Mercur Property. Tunneling is considered to have been the main objective in working this area, which were once driven into the side of the hill in an outcrop of altered zone along strike of the beds. It also the mouth of these tunnels that are viewed from a distance, that afford a very good indication of the portion of the ore-sheet. Its also at the enterance of the Uncle Sam Tunnel that an open cut had shown at the top a thickness of 4 to 5 feet of soft, shaly stuff, of various alternating shads of brown, gray, and yellow. It was also evident that this was considered to have actually been an altered type of Eagle Hill Porphyry that was examined. During this time period of examining the workings, it was noted that the characteristic of the roof of the ore sheet, and among the miners had went under the name of shale. Immediately below this altered porphyry zone is known to be composed of limestone, containing about one third in bulk of soft, pulverulent stuff, which incloses boulders of hard, blue lime, and of chert, which makes up the other two thirds of the rock. These boulders had rather been formed through decomposition that generally extend from the fissures and joint, and bedding planes inward. In addition to this, its also determined that the much grayer pulverulent matter which typically surrounds them is a product of alteration. This product of alteration is largely considered to take place under atmospheric influence that has already been noted in this article. Their is also only about 5 feet in which the portion of the altered to unattacked limestone is as above indicated, as the alteration grows less with the distance from the increasing porphyry rock. Limestone generally becomes more massive, and much of the rounded boulders give place to much larger square blocks. These are also considered to be separated by much narrower zones of decomposition, in which some run parallel with the bedding, and some can also be perpendicular to it. The strike of the limestone in this general area is about N. 55 degrees W, and generally dips at about 12 degrees Northeast. Its also in the least altered limestone areas at the bottom of the cut that are numerous empty fissures, that are vertical, and averaging in direction to about N. 30 degrees E, although varying from N. 10 degrees E to N. 60 degrees E. These typical ranges are known for forming cracks to the fissures that are 2 inches wide, and they do not typically exist in the most altered limestone, but their continuation can also be often traced through it by lines of greater decomposition than the rest of the rock. Also, in the much decomposed areas, yellow, shale like rock above there has no evidence of them. With this indication it relevant that these fissures are not very recent origin, such for example, as might be caused in surface rocks by blasting in the process of excavation that show crystallized calcite. At about 23 feet from the mouth of the tunnel, the shaly stuff rather loses its fissile character, which becomes more massive, and divided by planes of fracture into blocks. At this point, its still commonly soft, however, and bears evidence of great decomposition. ​

The principal workings that were developed at the Consolidated Mercur Gold Mine were additionally constructed on the south side of Mercur Canyon, but had other workings on the north side. The Consolidated Mercur Mines Co, had owned a total of 944 acres of mining claim land, of which about 400 acres was in the principal mineralized belt of the camp.These mines, when active, were largely considered to have been served by the necessity of the Salt Lake & Mercur Railway Line, which had connected by the way of Manning Canyon with the Los Angeles & salt Lake railway branch at Fairfield Junction. It was during the late 1920's when an attempt was made to assess the mine workings that were completely inaccessible due to cave ins. No map of the workings were also available at the time but it was strongly considered that the workings were beyond extensive, and had ran to many thousands of feet. It was also the total output by the Consolidated Mercur Mines Co, and the procedure of the Delmar Mercur Mines, Co, and Mercur Gold Mining and Milling Co, that was 4,336,621 tons of ore, yielding about $16,000,000 in gold, with the dividends paid being $3,445,312.

Geology

Problems were rather first encountered on the basis of the characteristic of the oxided and base ores at the Golden Gate Claims in the Camp Floyd District. Locally the ore are generally classified by three varieties, according to their mode of treatment, which included oxidised ores consisting of a mixture that contained calcareous and siliceous varieties predominantly. This class of ore rather had only contained insufficient quantities of base elements, showing very small fractional percentages of mercury, as cinnabar, and arsenic oxidized compounds. The second of these were dealt with talc ores, which were almost entirely clay and talc, and, soft, decomposed porphyry. These ore, likes the class above are almost considered free from base element compounds but impossible of percolation, for the reason that on contact with water they rather disintegrate, and settle to an almost impervious mass. The third types of ore are base ores, consisting of the above classes, with calcareous and talcose varieties predominating, and consisting of large quantities of base-sulphides. Arsenic is rather the chief of these sulphide base metals, which occurs as realgar, orpiment, and mispickel, in quanties that sometime average as high as 50%, but averaging not to succeed 2%. Realgar is largely contributed within the base ores of the arsenic bearing minerals. Anitomy is also present as stibnite, and occasional small quantities of galena are also present. A considerable quantiy of iron pyrite are also present within the minute made crystallization that's found to be mixed in with the sulphide base ore. Mercury is also present but is rather distributed in low quantities than that of the oxidized ore. It also has various hydrous sulphates of iron that are also present, as well as oxidization products of arsenic, that are both simple and in combination with lime and magnesium. Some of the most rare elements known as Tellurium is also present but was rather obtained in trace results from the ore assayed. Much of the clay minerals are largely considered to be a much dark grey to black in color, due to the considerable quantity of carbon, frequently as much as 4%, and in these are sometime found organic compounds. Silver in this area is also very sparingly distributed in all classes of ore, which rarely exceeds 1 oz. to 10 oz. of gold. There is also no metallic gold that is visible in any of the ore until after they have been roasted, where occasion minute, irregular particles may be discovered under a microscope. Almost all the clean base minerals are also invariably poorer in gold than the gauge which they are associated with. Some of the much clear crystals of realgar and orpiment carry no gold at all, or only traces, showing that the increased values of base ore not directly due to these base-metal minerals.

The Consolidated Mercur Mines were largely associated to the Great Blue limestones below the Long Trail Shale member. The ore within the mine was a result of replacement and impregnation of limestone bed, associated with the jasperoid type of alteration. A total of six beds were generally classified as ore bearing, but the principal output was obtained from the upper three of these, the Mercur Vein, the Middle Streak, and the Upper Vein systems. These beds also generally dip at about 010 degrees E, which average perhaps 023 degrees in the mines themselves. Their strike is generally a few degrees west of north as a rule, though there are some beddings rolls, which form apart of the eastern limb of the Ophir anticline. Owing the to impossibility of access to the mines, the writer can only add no detailed mine description.